Rock Art in the West. Visible Environments. Theory and Philosophy of the Image.

They say the world is spinning aroundI say the world is upside downThey say the world is spinning aroundI say the world is upside downJoe Higgs [1]

The sign says fishing permitted. As long as you do not eat them. Wading into the River called Carson* quickly becomes surprising and a bit mucky. Why even try? For me, it is not for fishing. It is to sense place, in the two senses of sensual and common. And to simply cross the river to the dark boulders — the petroglyphs active and dense, the stone deeply imbued with water and wind, the landscapes clear and compelling.

Recent history, in this case 1859-1861 with slight detours into the early 20th century, becomes an confounding thicket for an outsider — like me from Oregon country.— Carson River, toxic enough to be Nevada’s only Superfund site. Gold and silver discovered in 1859 Comstock immediately spawned an rough influx of seekers. Mercury imported to extract the metal became part of the effluent, 15 million pounds in refuse, penetrating and contaminating river and basin waters as far as the Stillwater Marshes in the northern Carson basin. Poisonous quicksilver, accumulating in tissues, is a health risk. [2] — A violent incident at a “a stage and grog stop” in May 1860 catalyzed increasing tensions between the Paiutes and encroaching miners and settlers. This incident occurred along the Carson River not far from this petroglyph site and launched the brief and deadly Pyramid Lake War. [3]— During the winter flood of 1861-1862 Mark Twain lodged for a few harrowing days at the above stage stop, Honey Lake Smith’s, described in Twain’s 1872 “personal narrative”Roughing It (217-228). — In the early 20th century extensive water projects diverted, channeled, and dammed the lower river directly affecting the lands and scapes surrounding this distinctive petroglyph place. [4]

*This river’s modern name? Bestowed by John C. Fremont in the 1840s to honor scout and “Indian fighter” (aka “Indian killer”) Kit Carson.{1] The 1970s single by Joe Higgs, father of Reggae: The World Is Upside Down (YouTube)[2] “Mercury-contaminated sediments in the Carson River, Lahontan Reservoir, Carson Lake, and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge are the cause of elevated levels of mercury in fish and wildlife in and near the contaminated areas. The contamination presents a health risk to those who consume mercury-contaminated fish.” EPA Carson River Mercury[3] Jerome Edwards recounts a version on the Nevada Humanities website. Pyramid Lake War[4] Water in the West - more than complex. For the Carson and Truckee Rivers, two places to begin: The Newlands Project & Pyramid Lake/Truckee-Carson Water Rights Settlement(1990)